Finding a cleaner in London is easy. Finding one you can trust with your keys, week after week, is the hard part. This guide walks through what a good cleaner actually costs in 2026, the checks worth doing, and the fastest free way to get matched.
Key facts
- Most London house cleaners charge £15 to £30 per hour in 2026, with independents at the lower end and agencies at the top. Source: Cleaners of London.
- For a regular agency clean, a realistic budget is £22 to £26 per hour for a two to three hour session. Source: St Anne's Housekeeping.
- Deep cleans run higher, roughly £25 to £31 per hour or more depending on property size. Source: Better Maid.
- Central London and Canary Wharf sit at the top of the range, outer London is cheaper. Source: Feel Clean.
- On CQD New Gen, posting a cleaning job is free, always, and there is no commission on either side right now.
What a cleaner really costs in London
Rates vary by who you hire and where you live. Independent cleaners often start around £15 to £20 an hour. Agencies and vetted professionals sit closer to £22 to £30, and they usually bring their own products and cover for sickness. Deep cleans, end of tenancy, and one off jobs are priced higher because they take longer and need more equipment.
Location matters too. If you are in Zone 1 or near Canary Wharf, expect the upper end. Outer boroughs are noticeably cheaper for the same work. Whatever you pay, be clear on whether products are included and how long the visit lasts, so you are comparing like for like.
The checks that actually matter
Price is only half the decision. Reliability is the other half. Before you hand over a set of keys, run through this short list:
- Ask for references from at least two current clients, and actually message them.
- Confirm right to work in the UK and, for agencies, that staff are properly employed or insured.
- Check insurance. Public liability cover protects you if something gets damaged.
- Agree the scope in writing. List the rooms, the tasks, the frequency, and what happens if they cannot make a visit.
- Do a trial clean before committing to a weekly slot. One session tells you more than any profile.
A good cleaner will welcome these questions. Anyone who dodges them is a signal to keep looking.
Where to look
You have three main routes. Word of mouth from neighbours is reliable but slow, and the best cleaners are often fully booked. Traditional agencies handle the vetting for you but add a markup and sometimes a joining fee. Online marketplaces let you compare profiles, reviews, and rates directly, which is faster and usually cheaper.
The trade off with older lead sites is that they charge cleaners for every introduction, and those costs get passed back to you. Newer community platforms remove that friction so cleaners keep what they earn and clients pay a fair rate.
How to post a cleaning job
The quickest way to get matched is to describe the job clearly and let cleaners come to you. A strong post includes:
- Your area or postcode district, for example SW11 or E14.
- Property size and number of rooms.
- Frequency, whether that is weekly, fortnightly, or a one off deep clean.
- Preferred days and rough budget.
- Whether you need products and equipment provided.
On CQD New Gen you can post that job in a couple of minutes, for free, and hear back from local cleaners who are actively looking for work. There is no fee to post and no commission taken, so more of your budget goes into the actual clean.
If you are a cleaner rather than a client, the same platform lets you find work in your area and keep one hundred percent of what you charge.
FAQ
How much should I pay a house cleaner in London in 2026?
Most Londoners pay between £15 and £30 per hour. For a regular vetted clean, budget around £22 to £26 per hour. Deep cleans and one off jobs cost more because they take longer.
Is it cheaper to hire an independent cleaner or an agency?
Independents are usually cheaper, often £15 to £20 an hour, but you handle vetting and cover yourself. Agencies charge more but manage references, insurance, and replacements if your cleaner is off.
What checks should I do before hiring?
Ask for references, confirm right to work and insurance, agree the scope in writing, and run a short trial clean before booking a regular slot.
Does it cost anything to post a cleaning job on CQD New Gen?
No. Posting a cleaning job is free, always, and there is no commission taken from either side right now.
How quickly can I find a cleaner after posting?
It depends on your area and rate, but a clear post with your postcode district, frequency, and budget usually gets replies from local cleaners the same day.